Bella Firenze

Back home in Bella Firenze

After my inspiring and adventurous sojourn, I’m back 'home' in Firenze...

It’s really difficult to summarize how I’m feeling at the moment because there are so many different emotions running through me.

This years’ experience in Florence is vastly different to last year - in many ways. There are many different challenges, insights and adventures and although I'm living my dream sometimes I have doubts. But when I’m filled with these temporary doubts, I stop and try to delight in the sound of church bells, technicolor fabrics flowing around sun kissed and well heeled legs, fading renaissance fresco's, the taste of eggplant marinated with peppers, or the celestial eyes and dark curls of the Italian children.

I am now living in San Marco. San Marco is another original quartier in Florence. From my bedroom window I look out onto a sea of terracotta roof tiles and can see the tip of Brunelleschi's Dome..ahh.. the sight of Il Duomo makes my heart sing. Last week I commenced studying Italian language at the Accademia Europea di Firenze. I'm now doing level five Italian! The classes are intense and simulating and I adore deviling deeper into the language.

I've had a lovely week. After the morning grammar classes I've been spending time with friends: lunch in San Spirito; attending Yoga classes in Porta Romana; sun baking and swimming at Belleriva Swimming Pool; and cycling through Parc Cascine.

One of my greatest and simplest pleasures is cycling along the Arno River and through the park, particularly at sunset. Lately its been really pleasant because as the wind whips through my hair I feel summers' intense heat dissipate and the change of season beginning.

Some of the scenes my eye casts over as I walk through the streets of "Bella Firenze"

Exterior details of Il Duomo, Firenze.

'Bapistry Doors', Firenze.

Some of my favourite niches in Firenze..Vernazza Cafe.


... Parc Cascine, Firenze with Aldo & Valentino.

Northern Adventure

A journey from Firenze (Toscana) to Bologna (Emilia-Romagna), Padova & Venice (Veneto) and Dolomites (Treviso) - a decadent, fantastical and challenging experience.
September 2-9th, 2008

Dolomites, Treviso

September 5-8th, 2008
Trekking in the Dolomites

The beginning of my trek through Parco Naturale di Fannes-Sennes-Braies, Val Badia

After a few days in Venice I traveled to Treviso to trek the Dolomite mountains in Val Badia. As I traveled deeper into the heart of the Dolomites I began to notice the change in the locals' accents and facial features and the architectural features and landscape. I stayed one night in Corvana in Val Badia and then in the morning traveled by bus to Passo di Falzerego (2105m). Then I took the cable car to Passo di Lagazuoi (2752m) in Parco Naturale di Fannes-Sennes-Braies.

From Passo di Lagazuoi I trekked for 7-8hours/day over rough and difficult terrain. The ground consisted mainly of hard rocks and stones the surface of the rocks were covered with fine sand. Within the first half an hour of my solo trek I strained the ligaments in my left ankle and then after a few hours of trekking I started to develop tenderness and pain in my left knee. I traversed across lakes situated at 1700m and climbed along narrow passages wedged between cliffs at 2200m and trekked mountains that rose from 1700m to 2400m then traversed plains where sheep, cows and goats grazed. The sound of the bells around their necks ‘clinkered’ across the fields and finely tuned the silence around me.

Rifugio Scotoni (2040metres) nestled in the Dolomites mountains, in Parc Naturale Fannes-Sennes-Braies, Val Badia.

After lunch at Scotoni Hutte (2040m) I embarked on a mountain climb that felt like vertical 90 degree ascent. The climb was seriously so steep and difficult that I had to stop every 10 minutes (or after five paces), to regain my breath because I was unable to acclimatise to the high altitude and my leg was aching... then when I was about to reach the summit of the last cliff face, I heard some rocks falling around me and the wedge on the side of the mountain that I had to pass was so narrow and the incline so steep that I could feel the weight of my back pack, forcing me backwards. There was no one else in sight, I was tired physically and mentally and at this point I started to get concerned, especially as no one knew where I was.

At the end of the day the mountain hut at Fanes (2060m) brought great comfort and relief. Filled with the comforting scent of a warm dinner, a glass of wine and like minded adventurers keen to share their experiences. I sighed wth joy, a sense of achievement and utter exhaustion.

Rifugio Fanes (2060m) in Parco Naturale di Fannes-Sennes-Braies, Val Badia

Fortunately despite the precarious nature of the day's trek, my strained joints and the summit climb; the first days trek was basked in sunshine and blessed with clear blue skies. However the Dolomite mountains are formidable and unforgiving and as I experienced the following day the weather can change both dramatically and quickly. Near Fanes there is a small rustic and simple chapel. I entered and on the altar saw some rocks which i presummed had been elft by other trekkers. I reached into my pocket and placed the small rock I had been carrying in my pocket during the days former trek and in a book wrote a prayer of thanks. 'Thank you for the courage, ability & capacity to live my dreams and please guide me in my future endevours'.

Sadly I was unable to walk the following day, even with the aid of a walking stick which I created from discarded wood. My joints were inflammed and with the wet weather and poor visability, I decided it was unwise to continue. However given my remote location and the areas limited transport I was advised that I would be unable to leave the Parc until the following day. Earlier in the day one of the waiters from the Fanes Rifugio had offerred to give me a lift to the nearest town if I was unable to walk. After attempting a mountain climb and returning after 2hours in pain, I sat in the mountain hut and ate goulash, red wine and strudle and listened to the locals conversing in dilect as I read my novel and waited for my new friend. At 15oopm my friend arrived and reassured me that where ever I needed to go, they would drive me there. But rather than drive me to the nearest town my 'angel' drove me to Brunico (130km round trip) where I caught the train home to Florence. I entered the station to buy my train ticket and us coffees and when I turned around she said "No that's ok.. I better go anyway, 'cause I have to drive back and I don't want to be late for my last shift.. Hey good luck.. It was nice to meet you!..."

Alpine, Dolomites

Venice, Veneto

September 2-5th, 2008
Artistic niches in Venice

In the evening I continued traveling and from Padova went via train to Venice. Despite my exhaustion, the moment the train entered the Grand Canal, Venice seduced me with its irresistible charm and poetic beauty. I stayed in a gorgeous hostel in San Marco. That night the gentle movement of the canal lulled me to sleep and in the morning I awoke and saw high ceilings decorated with frescoes, white plaster reliefs of cherubs, rustic mirrors, and vintage chandeliers.. as I sipped my morning cafe my spirit soared.

During the day I enjoyed getting lost through the mirage of streets as I walked from traditional museums to contemporary galleries. I visited: Galleria dell' Accademia to view the traditional Venetian masters works of art; saw selected works by Picasso, Kandinsky, Chagall, Pollock, Dali, Rothko at the Peggy Guggenheim Collection and the house where she lived; and Ca Pesaro’ Museum of Modern Art. The museums were beautiful and I was enjoyed admiring the works of great masters new and old.

In Venice, I found inspiration & beauty everywhere I looked...

...even the gondaliers on the Grand Canal and street scenes were poetic.

I made friends with some international girls at the hostel. Together we took some gondola rides from San Marco to Lido to attend the 65th Venice Film Festival. The atmosphere in Lido was electric and the streets surrounding the red carpet area were filled with elegantly dressed Italians, limousines and the paparazzi.

65th Venice Film Festival.
September, 2008.

Padova, Veneto

September 2nd, 2008
Basilica di San Antonio, Padova.

Then in the afternoon I traveled to Padova in Veneto specifically to visit the Basilica di San Antonio and the saint’s tomb. As with the Basilica di San Francesco in Assisi, I found the experience spiritual and emotional.

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Basilica San Antonio, Padova, Veneto.

Bologna, Emilia-Romagna

September 2nd, 2008
Intriguing Bologna

This morning dressed in black linen pants, a silk blouse, jeweled sandals, soft curls, sparkling lip gloss and a 38litre back pack (thoughtfully packed in with everything I'd need for a solo expedition & to look good in Venice), I grabbed my traditional 'departure breakfast' (Italian pastry and caffelatte) and boarded the first train at santa Maria Novelle, Firenze and traveled to Bologna in Emilia-Romagna.

The main reason I wanted to go to Bologna was to visit the impressive museums which exhibit the natural human skeletons and wax studies by Ercole Lelli and created by Morandi and Manzolini. This wax studies were originally intended to enable medical students to study anatomy, physiology, pathology and obsterics.

I thoroughly enjoyed the galleries and found the studies professionally and artistically inspiring. Whilst in Bologna I also visited: Archeology museum - I felt most patriotic when I saw a sculpture of an Aboriginal man; Biblioteca Communale Archiginnasio which conatins an anatomy theatre (1647) which is carved entirely from wood; Basilica San Domenico to view a small marble sculpture supposedly created by Michelangelo when he was 19years old; The Bologna University; and the Contemporary Art Museum - where I saw some brilliant, insightful and refreshing works of contemporary art. The most memorable was a video footage taken in the 1960's. The black and white video showed a narrow doorway flanked by a two completely naked individuals; a male and female. The doorway was positioned at the entry to an exhibit and the video depicted with raw clarity and commedy the reaction of the guests as their bodies awkwardly and stragetically past by these naked forms. Brilliant!

Architecture details & street scenes in Bologna

Acheology museum, Anatomy museum, Biblioteca dell' Archiginnaso & Basilica San Domenico, Bologna.

Misplaced happiness

Feeling sad and directionless. I believe its because I'm heartbroken. Actually more than heartbroken I don't know what to do with myself anymore. I have decided not to love Marco anymore and I don't want to see him or to hear from him again.. so now what do I do with this empty well inside me?

I've misplaced something called happiness have you seen it?

I miss Marco and I wish he knew how much I genuinely cared about him...

Accademia Europea di Firenze

International students sharing their experiences & love of Italy, whilst studying Italian language.

at the Accademia Europea di Firenze.

Some of the teachers from the Accademia. In August I was taught Italian Language level IV by Alessandra (orange top) (Milan), Italian Grammar by Stefana (short balck hair and top) (Piombino); in September I was taught Italian Language level V by Giuseppe (male in back row) (Perugia). Edy (in the middle) (Firenze) is the director of the Accademia and a charmsimatic, inspirational and passionate opera consessiur.

Verena in conversation class.

Concerto di cantante

Iconography of Madonna

Images from the top: Masoleum at Asissi, Chiesa at Arezzo, chiesa di Santa Croce